The Science and Sociology of Children and Childhood will explore the lived experiences of children in the past and present. This event is supported by the Methods North West Doctoral Training Partnership.
Children are an integral part of any society, as they ensure the survival of culture and tradition. Children aren't passive members of a community, they are contributors and have agency. They learn, they play, they help, and their responsibilities and contributions only increase with age. Therefore, learning about children, childhood and childhood identity can help us understand the experiences of people in the past. It can also help us to understand present day childhood dynamics.
However, we are often met with problems when it comes to studying these topics in archaeology. Child remains are often less well preserved than those of adults and less exciting in burial furnishing.
The aim of the workshop is to develop a robust and holistic methodology to study children and childhood in the past. This should consider sociological, ethnographic and archaeological approaches, as well as medical and spiritual perspectives. We're bringing together people who work with children both past and present to develop a more meaningful picture of how communities interact with children. This will include how societies treat and think of children in life and in death, and will better explain why their remains are less likely to be recovered in archaeological contexts. We aim to turn this perceived lack of evidence into an enhanced understanding of the lived experiences of children.
The day will begin with keynote speaker Professor Joanna Sofaer (University of Southampton). She will discuss the connection between past and present, and its importance for developing public health projects for local youth groups.
We would then like to hear about the ways you consider these topics. We invite you to deliver a short presentation about your current work and how it relates to children, childhood or identity. Please note, you can still attend the day without presenting.
The afternoon will focus on group discussions, co-creation of content and summarising key ideas generated from the day. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. You can also apply for a travel bursary to assist with costs of attending.
If you would like to deliver a talk or apply for a travel bursary, please email us to find out more. Please register your interest on Eventbrite by May 16 2025 and more details will be sent out to all registered attendees